I will be turning 50 this year. I'm not sure how I feel about that. It is making me take a pause and evaluate my life thus far. I've accomplished some things that people would deem successful. I obtained a college degree, worked for a major company, got married, had children, bought homes, purchased luxury cars and traveled the world. Do these things constitute success? I currently do not work for a major company, I don't own a home, I don't own luxury cars, and I don't travel the world. Am I now not successful?

Joseph, (in the book of Genesis), after his brothers sold him into slavery, was purchased by Potiphar, an Egyptian officer, but the Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of Potiphar. After being falsely accused of sexual assault by Potiphar's wife, Joseph was put in jail, but the Lord was with Joseph in prison and showed his faithful love. The Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. The Lord was with Joseph and caused everything he did to succeed, while in prison.

We would look at Joseph during this time and consider him a failure; first as a slave, then as a prisoner. But the Lord said Joseph was successful while a slave and a prisoner. How could this be? It is because Joseph trusted and submitted to God in every situation, knowing that God would bring about the best for him. This was Joseph's key to success. He ensured that God was the center of everything he did and that God was glorified in his life regardless of the circumstances.

I am certainly no Joseph, but I have sought to make God the center of my life regardless of my circumstances. So yes, I was successful leading up to age 50, when those in my life would have deemed me a success, and I am successful now as I live a different life. God was the center of my imperfect life then and He is still the center of my imperfect life now. This is a successful life.